News 2011

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam today announced a 45-day freeze on any new regulations and rules as part of the top to bottom review of state government.Haslam also announced the formation of four Cabinet working groups on Safety and Security, Jobs and Education, Efficient and Effective Good Government and Services.
“Our goal is to ensure that state government is customer service focused,” Gov. Haslam said. “A thorough review is one way to assist overburdened businesses wrestling with the economic downturn.”
The governor exempted any rules or regulations from the suspension that would pose an imminent threat to public health or safety or are required in order to conform to a court order.
“In our commitment to transparency, it is critical that we weigh the benefits of a rule or regulation to consumers along with the cost of impacting jobs,” he said.
Gov. Haslam asked each commissioner to take immediate steps to identify those rules and regulations that fall within the time frame. The Office of Consulting Services in the Department of Finance and Administration will coordinate the process.
“To attract and retain high quality jobs, Tennessee must maintain a business-friendly environment,” Gov. Haslam said. “State government should do everything it can to create the best possible environment for job growth.”
The Safety and Security working group consists of the following departments and agencies: Safety, Correction, Military, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The Jobs and Education working group consists of the departments of Economic and Community Development, Agriculture, Commerce and Insurance, Financial Institutions, Labor and Workforce Development, Revenue, Tourism and Education.
The Efficient and Effective Government working group is the departments of Finance and Administration, Environment and Conservation, Transportation, Human Resources, Veterans Affairs and General Services.
The Human Support working group consists of Children’s Services, Health, Human Services, Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Health.

Thursday night area fire departments responded to a fire at the Pittman Building on the Tatum side of the Courthouse Square. After several hours the blaze was under control. Members of the Woodbury Fire Department returned in the early morning hours when a flare up occurred.Shortly after 8:00am this morning, the all clear was given and the last of the crews left the scene. Just before 9:00am the blaze returned. Woodbury was first on the scene and the call was issued for East Side, West Side, Mooretown and Gassaway. Police and Sheriff’s Deputies closed Main Street as the vehicles filled Tatum and extending onto Main.
Ladder trucks from Manchester and Walter Hill arrived late Friday morning and assisted. The elevated position of the ladder trucks provided the difference in beating down the blaze.
The fire has moved into the building that formally housed town hall and the police department. At one point this morning, the smoke was so dark that it blocked the sun.
A picture gallery has various views of the fire from Thursday night and Friday morning and is available on this website.
If you have pictures to share, email to askus@wbry.com.

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has announced the formation of a blind trust to hold the vast majority of his private investments in a step consistent with his stance during the campaign and his recent Executive Orders.Waller Lansden Dortch and Davis PLLC attorney Bo Campbell will act as trustee, and the trust includes all of the governor’s holdings except for Pilot Corp. and a real estate investment outside of Tennessee.
Haslam formed the trust before taking office on January 15, and as he did as Mayor of Knoxville, he will not take a salary from the state while serving as governor.
“My Cabinet and I are dedicated to openness, transparency and ethical governing, and the formation of this trust was the next step in preparation for governing in such a manner,” Haslam said. “Tennesseans are very familiar with my relationship with Pilot and know that I’m committed to holding my administration to the highest ethical standards.”
The real estate investment outside of Tennessee was withheld from the trust because it is a property where ordinary tasks of property ownership such as upkeep can be more appropriately handled without involving a legal trustee.

Judge Susan Melton presided over Cannon County General Sessions Court on Tuesday. Some of the results from the various cases which appeared on the docket included:Jason Mac Brown was bound over to the May, 2011 term of the Cannon County Grand Jury. He is charged with initiation of the process to manufacture methamphetamine.
Stephanie Langston pled guilty to the charge of passing a worthless check. She was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days in the county jail. That sentence was suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation, paying the court costs and paying the checks and service charges. In another case, Langston pled guilty to passing a worthless check. She was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days in the county jail. That sentence was partially suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation, serving 7 days in jail, paying the court costs and paying the check and service charges.
Carl Eugene George pled guilty to the charge of reckless driving. He was sentenced to 6 months in the county jail. That sentence was suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation, paying a $350.00 fine and paying the court costs.
Dustin Matthew Mayo entered a conditional plea of guilty to the charge of possession of schedule III drugs. He was placed on supervised probation for 11 months, 29 days, ordered to pay a $750.00 fine and ordered to pay the court costs.
Daniel E. Hazel pled guilty to the charge of driving on a revoked license. He was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days in the county jail and ordered to serve his entire sentence.
Robyn Alesha Wilmouth pled guilty to the charge of driving under the influence. She was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days in the county jail. That sentence was partially suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation, serving 48 hours in jail, paying a $350 fine and paying the court costs. In addition, her license was revoked for one year. In another case, Wilmouth pled guilty to the charge of violation of probation. Her probation was extended and she was ordered to serve 30 days in jail.
Summer Faye Williams pled guilty to the charge of violation of probation. Her probation was extended and she was ordered to serve 50 days in jail.
Roger E. Bogle pled guilty to the charge of driving under the influence 1st offense. He was sentenced to 11 months, 29 in the County Jail. That sentence was partially suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation, serving 48 hours in jail, paying a $350 fine and paying the court costs. In addition, his license was revoked for 1 year.

State Senator Mae Beavers filed a resolution in the State Senate calling for an elected State Attorney General (AG). Beavers said the change in membership of the legislature gives the measure an excellent chance for passage this year.Beavers passed the measure (SJR 698) through the Senate last year. The resolution, however, was not approved by the House of Representatives.
“Tennessee is the only state in the nation that allows the State Supreme Court to select the attorney general,” said Senator Beavers, who is Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. “Forty-three states already select their attorney generals through popular election and it is time for this General Assembly to also show their confidence in the collective wisdom of the people of Tennessee. I am very encouraged that the recent change in membership of the General Assembly will give this resolution an excellent chance for passage.”
In six other states, the Attorney General is selected by either the popularly elected Governor or the popularly elected state legislature. Beavers said that when Tennessee’s Constitution was written calling for nomination by the Supreme Court Justices, the court was popularly elected.
“Tennessee is the only state in the nation in which the people have neither a direct nor indirect voice in the selection of their Attorney General,” Beavers added.
The resolution offered by Beavers would amend the state’s Constitution to allow a popular election every four years. The amendment process would require approval by both the 107th General Assembly currently in session, and the 108th, which will take office in 2013. If approved, the question would then go to voters in a statewide referendum in the year 2014.
“Along with the overwhelming majority of Tennesseans and 96 percent of the rest of this nation, I feel that the citizens of this state ought to have a ‘say so’ in the highest legal office in Tennessee,” she concluded.

A new commissioner, updates on REACH and voters may have a “say” in Sunday beer sales, all part of a long commission meeting.Tony Neal was named as the interim commissioner of the 4th District during the quarterly meeting of the Cannon County Commissioners. The vacancy was open due to the passing of Joe Wimberly. Neal was nominated by Commissioner Clint Higgins. Commissioner Kevin George nominated Kevin Steakley, but Neal was nominated based on an 8-1 Commission vote.
Neal will serve until the August 2012 county election when voters will elect who will serve the remainder of the four year term.
County Executive Mike Gannon gave a report. Gannon mentioned that the County is in a recession but is showing signs of starting to pull out. Cannon County relies more on property tax revenue than neighboring counties. As a result there is still a healthy fund balance and taxes have not seen an increase in 3 years
County General Budget Amendments were reviewed. Linda Bedwell, director of the Cannon County REACH afterschool program, give a report on the program. During the 2010-2011 the REACH program budgeted $268,000. Estimations show that the program needs approximately $75,000 to finish out the school year. The program had applied for two grants which they had received in the past. Unfortunately even though the money had already been budgeted, the grant money was not awarded. One of the grants they had been receiving had been done away with. The grants were awarded but the program had to spend the money and the grant would be reimbursed. The goal is to pay around $30,000 of the debt to the county this year and to try to repay the entire $83,000 over the next three years. The program serves 4 sites plus the high school with the afterschool program. Kevin George made the motion and Clint Higgins seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
The Commissioners voted to approve the amendments for the Sheriff’s Department. The County Fund Balance will decrease $1,180.00 with the money going to increase line items in maintenance and repair service vehicles, postage, food supplies, other supplies and materials along with medical claims.
The Commissioners also approved the amendment for the Sheriff’s Department to take $35,144.00 out of fund balance and increase the line items of Motor Vehicles and In Service Training. The $35,000 comes from seized items in drug raids such as cars and other property.
The Commissioners approved to take $22,231.06 out of fund balance. The Commissioners voted at the last meeting to pay the six former employees of the Sheriff’s Department that left due to the change of administration. The money will be used to pay the remaining unused sick days and vacation time for these employees.
The Commissioners approved the application of a Community Development Block Grant. This will extend water lines out in the county. Mike Gannon reported the County was turned down the last application. The grant writers were asked to take the roads they submitted the last time and work it out to where they would more likely to be funded this time.
Bob Stoetzel, Orville Lewis and Pat Simpson were reappointed to the Agriculture Committee. Joe Wimberly was also on the board and Mike Gannon recommended Mark Barker to fill in the vacancy. After the reappointment, Mike Gannon recommended Tony Neal to fill in the vacancy on the various committees in which Joe Wimberly served. The recommendation was approved by the commissioners.
Brooxie Carlton of the Department of Economic and Community Development gave a report of building codes. Cannon County applied for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. The $100,000 grant would furnish new windows and HVAC unit for the courthouse. The Grant is based on a point system. Counties get extra points toward the grant based on a letter of assurance that they would not opt out of the new building codes that went into effect October 1st. The Commissioners in a previous meeting opted out of the building codes. As a result it was discovered that around 25 other communities across the state who told the Department they would not opt out did indeed opt out. The Commissioner of the Department gave those communities until December 15th. Cannon County did not opt back in. The application was rescored and according to a letter sent out last week notified the county they lost the funding for the grant.
Since there is about $1.1 million dollars of funding still left so there will be a third round of applications. Cannon County is welcome to apply and beef up their application or get their 15 points by opting back in to the building codes program. The Building Codes Program would require any new construction in Cannon County to be inspected by a certified inspector. The building code would be the same as currently used in Woodbury. Commissioner Jimmy Mingle made a motion to opt into the state plan, Bob Stoetzel seconded the motion. Commissioners voting no were Mark Barker, Todd Hollandsworth, Kevin George, Jim Bush, Clint Higgins, and Tony Neal. Russell Reed, Jimmy Mingle, Kevin Mooneyham and Bob Stoetzel voted yes. As a result 6 against 4 for the motion failed.
The Commissioners approved the County Personnel Policy. It is the same policies that have been in effect since 1998. Nothing has been changed. The auditors asked Mike Gannon to get them approved again.
The Commissioners adopted a resolution that specified the formal policies and procedures for housing rehabilitation. The Upper Cumberland Development District through federal funds takes in requests mainly of elderly people. If they qualify they use federal funds to rehabilitate the house. This is done at no costs to the county.
Cannon County Director of Schools Barbara Parker gave a report on the Cannon County School System. Mrs. Parker highlighted the Technology Grant, E4TN program, the report card of the school systems and the additions to the Cannon County High School.
The County Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the process of a formation of an audit committee. A resolution forming the committee would be sent to the State Controller’s office for approval. Once approved it is sent to the Commissioners for approval at the next meeting. The State Of Tennessee recommends that every county in the state has an audit committee. The committee only offers suggestions. They cannot make rules or tell the county government what to do.
Dale Peterson, local attorney, approached the commission to request that a resolution that was previously passed by the Commission authorizing $30 to be added to all court costs filings be rescinded. The money would go to the Sheriff’s Department. The costs include all civil, criminal, and juvenile cases. Peterson stated he didn’t think it was appropriate or fair those civil or juvenile cases to have a $30 fee to support the Sheriff’s office. He felt that the Sheriff’s Office is not involved in the process of these cases. The decision by the commission was not to change the resolution.
The County Commission voted to approve the resolution that would allow the County to strip the law enforcement powers of the Constables in the County on first reading. The resolution before it fully passes will have to go through another reading in the April meeting. Commissioner Kevin George brought this matter to the table. After receiving reports that a County Constable was exercising law enforcement powers in the county, Kevin George researched and found out that the County could be liable if a lawsuit arises from the actions of a Constable. There was a law passed by the state in 1997 that allowed the County commissioners by two thirds majority vote and two consecutive meetings. Kevin George made the motion.
Clint Higgins seconded the motion. Voting yes on the first reading was Russell Reed, Jimmy Mingle, Kevin George, Jim Bush, Clint Higgins, Tony Neal, Kevin Mooneyham, and Bob Stoetzel. Commissioner Mark Barker voted no. Commissioner Todd Hollandsworth passed on voting.
Commissioner Jim Bush approached the rest of the commission to discuss the possibility of selling beer on Sundays. The town of Auburntown has been selling beer on Sundays. Cannon County residents are currently going to neighboring counties to purchase their beer on Sundays. The County Beer Board recommends the sale of beer on Sundays in Cannon County. Commissioner Russell Reed made a motion to allow beer sales on Sunday adopting the same guidelines that the city of Auburntown has. Jim Bush seconded the motion. Voting yes for the motion were commissioners Jim Bush, and Kevin Mooneyham. Voting no were commissioners Kevin George, Mark Barker, Todd Hollingsworth, Tony Neal, and Bob Stotezel. Jimmy Mingle also voted no but made a statement that he lives in Auburntown and his vote has nothing to do with him living in Auburntown because they have been selling beer for a time. Russell Reed declined to vote based on the fact that he holds a beer permit in the county. Since seven commissioners voted against the motion, the motion failed.
Jim Bush then made a motion to put the matter on a referendum for the next general election in August 2012.
Voting yes for the motion were Commissioners Jim Bush, Todd Hollandsworth, Russell Reed, Tony Neal, Bob Stoezel and Kevin Mooneyham. Voting no were Mark Barker, Jimmy Mingle, Kevin George, Clint Higgins. As a result of the 6-4 vote, the motion passed
The 2011 County Road map was approved. There were no changes in the map.
The long meeting came to a close with a motion that was made by Jimmy Mingle to change the name of the road that Bob Stoetzel will be living on from Hoot Lane to Honey Lane. The commissioners approved the change.

Standing before throngs of Inauguration attendees on Legislative Plaza, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam told Tennesseans across the state he was ready to go to work making Tennessee a better place to live, work and raise a family.”There are opportunities before us. We cannot do or be everything. We have to exercise good judgment as we set our priorities. The path we will travel will not be smooth and there will be a few bumps along the way,” Haslam said after taking the Oath of Office from Tennessee State Supreme Court Chief Justice Cornelia “Connie” Clark, the first woman to administer the oath in state history.
“As your governor, I promise to be a good listener and a continuous learner, to lead with grace and humility, and when faced with adversity, to respond with determination,” Haslam added. “And finally, I will work hard. In business, as a mayor, and as a candidate for governor, I have learned nothing replaces hard work.”
The inauguration comes at the end of the week Haslam spent on a statewide Swing Tour discussing his ideas for education reform and economic development. His inaugural speech covered his three biggest priorities: job, education and managing the state’s budget, as he made several commitments to Tennesseans.
JOBS: “Our goal is simple: Top-tier education for our children. Re-training for those out of work and underemployed. A healthy lifestyle. All three will make Tennessee number one in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS: “This is my commitment to you: We will improve our teaching, learning, retention and graduation. Every student deserves a great teacher, and every school needs a great principal. The tools will be in place – the rest is up to each of us to seize the opportunities.”
EDUCATION: “The expectations and standards of education excellence for every student in Tennessee are high. This is the time to continue significant education reform – and shame on us if we let this moment escape without meaningful action. The path for better jobs now and into the future requires more than the current 1 out of 5 Tennesseans over the age of 25 who have a college degree.”
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: “Government stands ready to assist, but government is not the solution. Offering hope through workforce development, technical training and work keys are building blocks on the road to job recovery and job security. But equally important is the individual determination and drive to invest the time and energy and hard work to be more.”
STATE BUDGET: “As we slowly reverse the negative trends of the economic downturn that gripped our state and nation, we will be diligent in watching the weight of state government, going on a diet of efficiency and effectiveness. State government will live within its financial means, and a Top to Bottom review will set priorities and establish measurable goals.”
EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT: “As we begin writing a new chapter in our state’s history, I ask you, the elected state senators and representatives, to join with me in rolling up our sleeves and going to work. Our measure of effective state government is whether our citizens are served well and at the lowest possible cost. The people of Tennessee are our customers and we will be all about excellent customer service.

Judge Don Ash presided over Cannon County Circuit Court on Friday. Some of the results from the various cases which appeared on the docket included:Crystal Brannam pled guilty to the charge of criminal attempt to initiate the process to manufacture methamphetamine. She received a 4 year prison sentence as a range 1, 30 percent offender. That sentence was partially suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation, paying a $3,000.00 fine and paying the court costs.
Angela Trisler was reset for a violation of probation hearing on April 8, 2011.
Tammie Thompson’s suspended sentence hearing was reset for March 11, 2011.
Timothy Ryan Lawson pled guilty to the charges of five counts of forgery and theft over $500.00. He was ordered to serve 3 years in prison as a range 1, 30 percent offender. That sentence was suspended upon an equal amount of time on supervised probation, paying the court costs and paying restitution to the victim.
Lisa Pyles’ motion for jail credit was denied by Judge Ash because she failed to appear.
Ravi Goin’s motion to modify sentence was denied.
Randy Durham, who pled guilty to manslaughter last year, was permitted to temporarily leave the state for work purposes.
Elisha Jenkins was appointed an attorney and reset for February 11, 2011. He is charged with violation of probation.

State tax collections exceeded budgeted estimates in December for the fourth consecutive month of this fiscal year. Finance and Administration Commissioner Mike Morrow today announced that state revenue collections for December were $828.6 million, which is $33.6 million more than the state budgeted. December sales tax collections reflect retail sales activity that occurred in November.”The positive growth occurring in sales tax and corporate tax collections is particularly encouraging, and gives us reason to believe Tennessee’s economy is on track to recover from the worst recession on record,” Morrow said. “It is especially pleasing to this administration knowing we are leaving a budget in balance, and a year-to-date revenue surplus available for the next governor and general assembly.”
On an accrual basis, December is the fifth month in the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
The general fund was over collected by $34.1 million and the four other funds were under collected by $563,000.
Sales tax collections were $6.3 million more than the estimate for December. The December growth rate was 2.53%. For five months revenues are over collected by $56.5 million, and the year-to-date growth rate is 3.75%.
Franchise and excise taxes combined were $30.5 million above the budgeted estimate of $121.0 million. For five months revenues are over collected by $37.7 million.
Gasoline and motor fuel collections for December increased by 0.97% and they were $2.0 million below the budgeted estimate of $65.0 million. For five months revenues are over collected by $10.9 million.
Tobacco tax collections were $3.2 million above the budgeted estimate of $23.5 million, and for five months they are $1.5 million above the budgeted estimate.
Inheritance and estate taxes were over collected by $1.6 million for the month. For five months collections are $11.1 million above the budgeted estimate.
All other taxes were under collected by a net of $6.0 million.
Year-to-date collections for five months were $98.9 million more than the budgeted estimate. The general fund was over collected by $78.4 million and the four other funds were over collected by $20.5 million.
The budgeted revenue estimates for 2010-2011 are based on the State Funding Board’s consensus recommendation of April 7, 2010 and adopted by the second session of the 106th General Assembly in June. They are available on the state’s website at http://www.tn.gov/finance/bud/budget.html.

Bad weather did not deter the Cannon County Board Of Education from meeting Thursday night. Although the meeting was originally scheduled to be held at Short Mountain Elementary School, the Board of Education moved the meeting to the County Courthouse. Director of Schools Barbara Parker discussed the recent Report Card figures that were released by the state. Cannon County was close to being comparable to the state in a lot of areas. Some of the highlights included:
All schools and the system itself are in good standing. Although Cannon County High School is considered an on target school, it is because of the High school graduation rate. Figures show the graduation rate for the school year 2009-2010 was at 72.7% down from the 83% figure from 2008-2009. However the figure for 2010-2011 is at 87 percent. The state goal is 90%.
Woodbury Grammar School was on the On Target list 2008-2009 however they made the improvements and came off the list for 2009-2010.
It was determined that Algebra was the most difficult subject at Cannon County High School. Adjustments are in the process of being made to help the Algebra scores including offering the subject as an online course in 8th grade. 35 8th grade students are taking Algebra 1 online. After the course is complete the students will get the option to carry the credit earned over to high school.
Cannon County Schools obtained the Erate Grant in the amount of $273,000.
This grant will enable the entire school system to have wireless access in every classroom.
After approval of the agenda and consent agenda the Board approved this year’s Prom and Senior Trip Rules. The approval is on the agenda yearly and will be moved to the June agendas to be approved annually starting in June.
The Board approved the Jr. Lions football schedule and coaching staff for 2011. Spring practice begins March 7th-18th.
The Board approved for the Middle Grade Fast Pitch Girls Softball Program to proceed with tryouts. The board had tabled the matter during the December meeting until Coach Randy Farnsworth could get proof of insurance in which he obtained before the January meeting
January is noted as National School Board Recognition Month. January 23rd thru the 29th is National School Board Week. Ms. Parker gave each board member a framed certificate and a copy of the proclamation from Governor Phil Bredesen.
Board Members Chris Blackburn, Coach Mike Mayfield, Cathy Hyatt, Shannon Davenport, Chairman Randy Gannon, Student Board members Jeran Tenpenny, Tyler Stone and Cannon County Director Schools Barbara Parker were present for the meeting.
The next board meeting workshop will be at the Central Office on Tuesday February 8th with the next board meeting Thursday February 10th at 6:00pm at the Woodland School.